Sometimes unfortunate circumstances regarding one player create big opportunities for another in the NFL.

This is the case for Cleveland Browns running back Jerome Ford following a nasty season-ending injury to his teammate Nick Chubb. Chubb is believed to have torn multiple ligaments in his knee against the Steelers.

It’s a big blow to the Browns, as Chubb has been the heart and soul of the offense for the last five seasons. Now, Ford is handed a big opportunity that he has the chance to run with.

It is still early in the diagnosis of Chubb, official word hasn’t come out and he hasn’t had the surgery that will ultimately come due to the devastating injury. There is no need to have a medical license to be able to say that there’s a chance Chubb doesn’t play football again.

Chubb tore more ligaments in the same knee that he completely blew out in 2015 at Georgia, it’s going to be a tough recovery to come back from and to be able to be the same player. You can’t count Chubb out due to the work ethic he’s always shown, but there is some worry there.

Ford stepped up in his first game with the Browns and had 106 rushing yards on 16 carries, including a 69-yard run. Also, Ford was a factor in the passing game, catching three passes for 25 yards.

Against Cincinnati in Week 1, Ford’s numbers weren’t great at 2.4 yards per carry on 15 of them, but he played late when the Bengals knew Cleveland was going to run the ball. Following the terrible injury to Chubb, Ford showed he could at least be capable at the position. It’s only a one-game sample size and not one he started in, but there is reason to be optimistic.

Cleveland could eventually trade for another running back, I’d bet on it being a backup to Ford, who they believe in. Of course; the chance is there that they make a splash. I wouldn’t count it out with the all-in approach that the Browns appear to have.

Last season, Ford had just eight totes of the football as a rookie out of Cincinnati. The former fifth-round draft pick instead took care of kick returns. He averaged 24.1 yards per return on 30 returns with a king of 48. Ford showed some good burst that looked like it could be intriguing in the backfield as a rookie on those returns.

With 15 games still to go in the young season, there’s a big chance for Ford to win over a lot of believers and take the fanbase by storm if he can be the guy for Cleveland. If Chubb does return to the field, it would be a nice one-two punch with the potential development for Ford this season.

Reps are important and Ford is going to get a ton of them. Last night he showed good vision at times, as well as tough running and tackle-breaking ability. That much has hopes there that he will be suitable for Cleveland at least.

Of course, it can’t be expected for Ford to fully replace Chubb. We’re talking about the NFL’s best running back potentially who can pop off for 1,500 rushing yards any given season. Chubb’s combination of power and speed is rare.

Time will tell how it develops for Cleveland. Ford was visibly upset on the sideline following the Chubb injury last night, as well as many members of the Browns. Ford knows the opportunity is here for him however, it’ll be up to him to run with it. 

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Featured image via Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports.